Say I love you this Valentine's day with a home cooked meal with local meats, veggies and sweet treats. Lick Creek Beef and Pork will be offering a ValenSwine's day special of a free breakfast sausage with the purchase a two pork chops or steaks. There will also be a discount on their grass fed beef as well. This special is available only at the Community Farmers Market on February 6th and 13th. Plant a Veg Seed will be baking up some Gluten Free valentine treats (including red velvet cupcakes!), and Mario's Mama will have valentine themed treats for you fur friends.

Unfamiliar with heritage breed pork? With all of the negative press surrounding processed meat and pork recently, what's there to love about heritage breed pork? Here are four reasons.

Better for the environment: Heritage breeds are not suited to confinement settings so you can be assumed that the pig's quality of life was better than 'the other white' meat you are purchasing in the store.Pastured pork has a much smaller environmental footprint than concentrated animal feed operations (CAFOs). Waste is not concentrated and has a lower risk of contaminating water supplies.

Healthier, Happier Pigs: Pastured pigs are less likely to be over crowded, reducing the risk of illness and need for antibiotics. Pastured pigs have a more varied diet and increased exercise which leads to healthier, happier pigs.

Support small farmers supporting breed conservation: Heritage breeds were selected over several generations to preserve desirable traits that were suited for the geography and taste preferences of a specific region. Commercial pork comes almost exclusively from the White Pig, which was bred for industrial production, not flavor. Heritage breeds are raised almost exclusively by small farmers who take the extra time and care to tend to these breeds. Buying heritage breed meats helps support the farmers who make that happen.

Taste better, better for you: Unlike the bland 'other white meat' you see in the store, heritage breed pork come in a variety of textures, flavors, and marbling to suit any taste buds.Heritage breeds are often more nutritious, containing more desirable fats and nutrients thanks to a healthier diet and better living conditions.

To find out more about heritage breed pork check out the following websites or chat with our pork producers at the Community Farmers Market.